Exhaust in my coolant, but good compression?

[Burnsside42]

If exhaust is in your coolant... i.e. bubbling or over pressure. You have a warped head and/or bad head gasket.

[Saabster Tale]

Thanks, Jeffrey. That's what I feared. Since the compression seemed good across all 4 cylinders and others said a leak would show up as a drastic reduction in compression, I got my hopes up that there might be another answer. Time to order the rebuild parts. Any preferences for kits/parts you can recommend? I already know where to take the head for machining. Been through this on my '01 Aero sedan before. Won't repeat earlier mistakes.

[Saabster Tale]

Also, I was hoping that either the exhaust/fuel smell was coming from a leak in the turbo area, since it's water cooled, or from some other place that might be a pathway from intake fuel to coolant and visa versa. Not sure if the smell in the reservoir is exhaust or fuel smell.

[Saabster Tale]

Ok, folks. Looks like it's settled. Thanks for all the thought that went into your replies. Compression checks are not necessarily definitive tests for blown head gaskets. My 4 cylinders measured from 160 to 177 psi. The very first signs of water in the oil have just appeared. Time for a new head gasket, etc. Gotta squeeze it in before the big move.